It was Christmas Eve in the Workshop.....

and absolutely nothing was stirring, not even a pair of pliers. That's because I'm sitting here, at my computer, doing a blog post to wish anybody who actually reads this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I've been on Facebook and said Merry Christmas. I've even ventured over to Google Plus and managed to get into an argument before I could utter "Season's Greetings". That happens a lot!

I've been back to the UK and had my Grandchildren fix.

Thomas and Alex - Aren't they cute?

We are going out for our Christmas Dinner tomorrow, so I don't have to do very much. Suits me fine!

I am going to be doing a lot of thinking over the holidays. Bluetina had a crappy year, sales wise. Both the website and the Etsy shop. I am considering a change of direction, maybe....possibly....

In the meantime, remember this?

I was going to list it as is but I thought it needed a bit of tarting up. I started fiddling around with some silver wire and this is as far as I've got:

That little loop is waiting for a drop of some kind but the jury's still out on exactly which one. Watch this space!

Again, Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year! Let's hope it turns out better than the last one!

Last minute listings...

Trying to fill my Etsy shop up for Christmas. I thought a few more pairs of earrings wouldn't go amiss!

Blue Glass Flower Drops

Silver and Black Onyx Tassel Earrings

Silver double spirals with black glass flowers

There is another pair but Blogger keeps putting my pics where I don't want them. I give up.

To blog or not to blog....

.....that is the question.

Looking back over the last few months, it seems I have mainly blogged about other people. This is all fine and dandy because I do like to support my friends on line and it's easy when they have lovely stuff to promote! There is also the psychological shove in the back. I do it because I promised I would. I can't seem to do that for myself, though.

I recently read (in yet another e-book I purchased to help me get off my arse and do something) that, if I'm only going to blog half-heartedly, then I shouldn't do it at all. Oh dear.....

I am asking all seventy three of you lovely people to give me a hint here. Should I carry on? And what, if anything, should I write about? Do you want to read little amusing snippets of my life? Shall I attempt some in depth philosophy? Would you like me to feature some more lovely things I find out in cyberspace? How about some work in progress shots (that I always forget to take) of my jewellery? Tutorials? Not that I know much.

If you have any input for me, just leave a comment below. If there are no comments, then I shall take that as a "no"!

Here is the obligatory photograph:

I made this - no, I threw this together for a recent craft fair at which I sold next to nothing. It's a bit boring. It's a charm on a chain. I have decided to embellish it a little.

So, there will be at least one more post. I shall try to remember to take pictures of my efforts as I go along! There, I've just said I'll do it so it must be done! Perhaps I should do this more often!

Black Friday, Cyber Monday Weekend Deal

Just popping in to give you the heads up. I have set up free shipping on all items in my Etsy Shop until the end of Monday, 26th November. Well, Tuesday morning on my end of things!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a very American institution, stemming as they do from the US Thanksgiving Celebrations. However, when in Rome....or when on Etsy, in this case....do as the Etsians do!

Cascade Earrings Pink Pearl

Evidently, an awful lot of on line shopping is done on Cyber Monday, hence the name. Perhaps some of it will get done in Bluetina's shop! Here are some of the over eighty items you can buy and have shipped anywhere in the world for free:

Mixed Metal Bracelet Silver & Copper

Kyanite Necklace with Sterling Silver Spikes

There's lots more where they came from and, if you order now, they should be with you in plenty of time for Christmas!

Artful Lise....

It's that time again. This week, we have the talented Lise Winne to spotlight! Her Etsy shop is filled with beautiful images of unicorns, angels, bunny rabbits and birds.

Acorn with Oak Leaves

This is an original painting by Lise. It is small at 4" x 6" but perfectly formed! I just love Lise's style.

Bunny Rabbit with Moon & Gate

Lise also sells limited edition prints of her artwork, such as this ethereal painting of a rabbit sitting by an ornate garden gate. This is one of my personal favourites!

Christmas Horse Greeting Card

Greeting cards and tags are another way one can buy Lise's work. Who wouldn't love to display this beautiful winged horse on their mantelpiece? 

Heart Trinket or Jewelry Box

Hand painted little wooden trinket boxes are yet another expression of Lise's talents. The boxes are completely hand painted and each is one of a kind. 

If I thought it wasn't going totally over the top, I'd tell you that she sings, too! Oh, I just did! Lise is in to Renaissance Music and you can purchase her CD's through her Etsy shop. 

A multi-talented and very interesting person is our Lise!

A Makeup Artist.......

It's Nora's turn this week! In her lovely, yummy Etsy shop, Leonora's Cosmetics, she has the most gorgeous array of mineral eye shadows and foundations I've ever seen.

They are all handmade and exceedingly high quality. The colours are something else!

Mia Mineral Eye Makeup

Ice Blue Mineral Eye Makeup

Dahlia Metallic Eye Shadow

Rosie Mineral Eye Shadow

Nora sells samples, of course, so you can find out which colours really suit you. Getting one's blusher right can be tricky!

Mineral Cheek Blush Samples

She also makes many shades of foundation.  Looks like an ice cream parlour in here, doesn't it?

Mineral Foundation

I suggest you pop over there and have a look around. A new shade of eye shadow would make an excellent gift for a girlfriend this Christmas!

A complication of rings....

Today's blog post features my Etsy team mate, Lehane.

Lehane does very complicated things with jump rings. Anybody who can do that chainmaille stuff has my utmost respect and admiration. I tried it once. Nearly went blind and threw my pliers down in disgust.

Aquamarine Amethyst Chainmaille Bracelet

Let alone doing it in a straight line, she can do it in circles, too!

Holiday Chainmaille Ornament

Lehane is also into using those amazing dichroic glass pendants in her jewellery:

Pink and Black Necklace

An eye for colour is also evident in Lehane's designs:

Amethyst Rivoli Crystal Pendant

Go have a look at her shop, it's packed full of more lovely pieces like these!